R360 Athletes Face Decade-Long Suspension from National Rugby League

The NRL's authority has announced that players who sign with the “breakaway” R360 league will be banned for 10 years.

The new league, scheduled to begin in October 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a condensed game calendar.

Leading NRL stars have reportedly been approached by the new league, which will feature multiple men's teams and women's teams located in key urban centers around the world.

The Samoan the player, who is with his NRL club in the NRL, has said he has had talks with the new organization.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lomax, Haas and Jye Gray are also believed to be weighing up offers from R360.

Several leading rugby union countries, including Australia, earlier declared a prohibition on players joining R360 playing global fixtures.

“We heard our franchises and we've acted decisively,” commented Australian Rugby League Commission chairman V'Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will always be groups that try to exploit our sport for potential financial gain.

“They avoid funding in pathways or the advancement of athletes. They simply exploit the efforts of existing bodies, endangering athletes of economic hardship while benefiting financially.

“Essentially, they are, copying the game.”

R360 is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and backed by independent financiers.

After the possible union prohibitions were revealed last week, it commented: “We want to work collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The series is structured with bespoke schedules for male and female sides and the organization will release all players for global fixtures, as written into their deals.”

The new league will apply for endorsement for its initiatives from World Rugby, union's regulatory group, at its official gathering next year.